Waiting...

There's something to be said for those who "wait." For instance, if a wife tells her Army husband that she will "wait" for him to return, then she is to be admired for doing so. In fact, it is expected of her. Another example of when waiting is a good thing is in regards to abstinence. Waiting until you get married to be intimate with your significant other is a plus. But waiting usually has a negative connotation when we use it in our everyday language. Waiting in line at the restaurant, waiting in line at the gas station, waiting in line at the grocery store...waiting.

It is hard to deal with waiting when it is in regards to something big...life-changing...huge. When we go through a season of waiting it is easy to become doubtful, hopeless, and pessimistic. We can relate to the Psalmist who says, "I am weak from waiting for you to save me..." (Ps. 119:81). Waiting gets old. Fast.

I think there are three important tasks that we can do while we are waiting:

1. Pray.   This sounds obvious, but I sometimes get angry at God for making me wait and thus forget to pray. But I always feel so much better after I pray (not that that's my goal for praying) and it helps me to know that God is listening. He is taking care of me and working out the details of HIS plan. 
2. Go to the Bible. Again, might seem a little obvious to some people. However, this is an important part of the process for me. To read about other people who had to wait. For Pete's sake, Abraham waited FOREVER. Then, God blessed him. Job went through lots of waiting during his many trials. But, God never left him. Dive into the Word and find comfort in the stories of those who have waited.
3. Serve. The funny thing is...when you help someone in need, you forget what your problems are. Trust me. It might be that you are stressed out from a financial situation...waiting on a paycheck or waiting on a job opportunity to arise. Get out and serve food at a rescue mission or soup kitchen. Donate your time to help an elderly neighbor or someone with special needs. Go love on some people who were affected by the tornadoes. We're not talking about anything drastic here...heck, if someone in your own family is struggling, then go serve them. Sometimes hugging people is serving. 

There are just three of the many things that you can do while you are waiting. Don't let this opportunity
to create a good story for your life to pass you by. Many good stories come from those who had to wait. If you need some more inspiration, take a listen to this song by a great singer/songwriter John Waller: